Luke

Lachey

The Texans spent a seventh-rounder on Lachey, but part ways with him before the start of the season. The team also waived/released WR Quintez Cephus, QB Kedon Slovis, S Myles Bryant, LB Nick Niemann, CB Damon Arnette, TE Luke Lachey, FB Jakob Johnson, LB Jackson Woodard, LB K.C. Ossai, LS Blake Ferguson, DE Solomon Byrd, DT Junior Tafuna, C Eli Cox, OT Conor McDermott, OG LaDarius Henderson, WR Daniel Jackson, DE Casey Toohill, OT Trent Brown, CB D’Angelo Ross, RB J.J. Taylor, CB Arthur Maulet, TE Dalton Keene, S Russ Yeast, Jawhar Jordan, DT Haggai Ndubuisi, OT Jaylon Thomas, and OT Zach Thomas.

After a redshirt freshman year, Lachey (6’6/251) entered Iowa’s tight end room behind current Detroit Lion Sam LaPorta. He has four total career touchdowns, all coming during a 28-reception, 398-yard 2022 season. An ankle injury hampered Lachey’s 2023, limiting him to just three games. As a team captain for his final season, Lachey caught 28 passes for 231 yards while showcasing consistent pass-catching and blocking skills. The Iowa offense leaves minimal production for its pass-catchers to capitalize on and Lachey lacks the burst to separate on routes and make an impact downfield. If he can improve his strength as an inline blocker, he will be a good piece for an NFL tight end room. Though he’s not the most athletic, Lachey projects as a short-area receiver and blocker who can compete for a backup spot at the next level.

Last month Lachey (6'7/220) narrowed his list down to two schools, Iowa and Michigan State, taking official visits to both schools. Ultimately it was Kirk Ferentz’s program that won out, with the three-star citing the culture of the program and the opportunity to play early as the reasons for his decision. “I’d say the culture they have there is what really helped me make the decision,” Lachey told HawkeyeReport.com. “I’d also say the bond that I made with the players and the other commits really pushed me there as well. I think I’ll fit in really well. The opportunity is to play a lot and be able to get the ball a lot as well.” Iowa’s done a very good job of developing tight ends during Ferentz’s tenure as head coach, with two (T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant) being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Lachey is Iowa’s 22nd commit in the 2020 class.

Lachey (6'7/220) will journey out on his East Lansing official midweek before heading over to Iowa City for a weekend Hawkeyes official. He has previously taken an unofficial visit to Michigan State, but has yet to check out Iowa’s campus. It’s possible that he ends up committing to a program prior to the start of the fall campaign, but that is not a given at this juncture. Wisconsin and West Virginia are two other programs to watch in this recruitment. Rivals ranks Lachey as the No. 28 prospect in the state of Ohio for the 2020 cycle. He hails from Grandview Heights.